Oluremi Tinubu Launches National Food Bank, N65bn Raised to Tackle Hunger

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme and inaugurated its Board of Trustees, as over N65 billion was mobilised from public and private sector pledges to combat hunger and malnutrition across the country.

The initiative, unveiled in Abuja, is expected to reach at least 500,000 vulnerable households in its first year, with a focus on children under six and community-based nutrition systems.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady described the programme as a sustainable response to food insecurity, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She said the scheme aims to ensure that nutritious food gets to those who need it most while strengthening grassroots support systems.

The launch also featured major financial commitments, including N10 billion from the Aliko Dangote Foundation, a N17 billion intervention from the Federal Government, and a matching N17 billion pledge by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq. Additional contributions came from NNPC Limited, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, and private donors. The First Lady personally donated N500 million.

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Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, described nutrition as both a national priority and a moral responsibility, noting that poor nutrition significantly contributes to child mortality in Nigeria.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the programme represents a shift toward a structured and measurable response to hunger, citing alarming statistics on child stunting and food losses.

The fund, domiciled at the Bank of Agriculture, will operate under strict transparency measures, requiring multiple trustee approvals for disbursements and quarterly public reporting.

Officials say distribution will leverage existing primary healthcare networks to reach communities nationwide, while local governments are expected to play key roles in implementation.

The programme will be rolled out across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of broader efforts to address food insecurity and improve public health outcomes.